Magnetic amusement device

ABSTRACT

The invention is a magnetic amusement device which embodies one or more control magnets rotably mounted, one or more slave magnets rotably mounted in about the same horizontal plane as their respective control magnet(s), and one or more means for translating the motion imparted to the slave magnet(s) by the control magnet(s) to a visual effect, such as, for example, a system of pulleys and belts or of gears, etc.

United States Patent [191 Routson June 18, 1974 MAGNETIC AMUSEMENTDEVICE [76] Inventor: Willis G. Routson, 1075 Walnut Ave., Walnut Creek,Calif. 94598 [22 Filed: Feb. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 331,027

[52] US. Cl. 273/1 M, 35/19 A, 46/238 [51] Int. Cl. A63t 9/00 [58] Fieldof Search 273/1 M; 46/236, 238;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1970 MacPherson 46/238OTHER PUBLICATIONS Welch Physics and Chemistry Digest, May 1954, Vol.

4, page 28, N0 1800.

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Paul E. ShapiroAttorney, Agent, or FirmJ. Roger Lochhead [57] ABSTRACT The invention isa magnetic amusement device which embodies one or more control magnetsrotably mounted, one or more slave magnets rotably mounted in about thesame horizontal plane as their respective control magnet(s), and one ormore means for translating the motion imparted to the slave magnet(s) bythe control magnet(s) to a visual effect, such as, for example, a systemof pulleys and belts or of gears, etc.

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1 MAGNETIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention, inits simplest embodiment, is comprised of three major components: one ormore control magnets, each being fixed at right angles to a shaft whichis pivotally mounted so as to allow 360 rotation of said magnet(s); oneor more slave magnets, being spaced from but under the magneticinfluence of said control magnets, each of said slave magnets beingfixed at right angles to a shaft which is pivotally mounted so as toallow 360 rotation of said slave magnet(s), in about the same horizontalplane as their respective control magnet(s), said slave magnet rotationbeing induced by the rotary motion of said control magnet(s); and, oneor more means for translating the rotary motion of said slave magnet(s)into a visual effect. A preferred method for translating said rotarymotion would comprise a pulley attached to and rotating with the shaftof said slave magnet(s), said pulley or pulleys continuallycommunication with one or more other shaftmounted pulleys by a belt orthe like. Another means would comprise various types of gear-drives suchas are well-known to the art.

Many variations of visual indicators will occur to those skilled in thetoy and game art. The following are but a few: tug-of-war, auto racing,ski racing, horse racing, mountain climbing, boat racing, foot racing,bicycle racing, and many, many more. Also contemplated are games whichutilizethe concept herein to provide games such as roulette, bingo, andthe like.

DRAWINGS The concept taught herein, as well as a few of the variationspossible, may be more fully understood by reference to the followingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one version of the magnetic amusementdevice of this invention comprising a pair of control magnets and asingle slave magnet;

FIG. 2 is a-vertical elevation of same-along the indicated line of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a top plane view of another version of said device whichincorporates a pair of control magnets and apair of slave magnets;

FIG. 4 is a top plane view of yet another version which incorporates apair of control magnets for each of a pair of slave magnets; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1.

While in each of the above drawings the means for translating the rotarymotion of the slave magnet(s) is a belt and pulley system, it is to beunderstood that many methods of such translation are available.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A simplified version of themagnetic amusement device of this invention is illustrated by FIG. 1, 2and 5. Referring to these figures, the device includes a base which maysuitably be of any shape and fabricated from many different materials,including wood, plastic, pressboard and the like. Pivotally mounted uponsaid base 10 are the control magnet modules, each preferably comprisinga bar magnet 11 and 12; a cylindrical sleeve 13 and 14 for each saidmagnet, said sleeve being approximately perpendicular to said magnet; arod 15 and 16, being either continuous through the magnet ordiscontinuous therewith, said rod being, for

instance, friction fitted within said sleeve 13 and 14, and serving thedual function of providing a pivot point for the module with the base10, and also provide an attachment point for the control knob 17 and 18.

The control magnet modules are spaced from a slave magnet module, in thedevice pictured in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, in such a way that they each exerta magnetic influence over said slave magnet, while, on the other hand,the influence which the control magnets have over each other is not onlyless than their influence on the slave magnet (due to their relativepositions to each other), but essentially inconsequential as a result ofdirect player control of them.

In the above figures, an angle of about is defined by the centers of thepivot points of the three modules. Other positions could be utilized.

The slave magnet module is similar to the control magnet modules (i.e.,bar magnet 19, sleeve 20 and rod 21), except that the control knobs 17and 18 are replaced, in this version, by a pulley 22. Gears or othermotion transmitting means could also be suitably employed.

In the above drawings the means for transmitting the rotary motion ofthe slave magnet is a series of pulleys continuously connected by abelt. More particularly, the rotary motion of slave magnet 20 istransmitted through slave magnet pulley 22 via a continuous belt 23which travels through pulleys 24 and 25, which may be mounted to thegame unit by any number of suitable methods.

The above transmitting means lends itself to providing a visualindication of the number of revolutions of the slave magnet module makesin each direction by afixing to the belt 23 an indicator 26. Theindicator 26, in this case, is in the shape of an arrow which traversesa scale 27, although the indicator could be in any desired form.

It is preferred, from the standpoint of rigidity and strength, as wellas to protect the magnet modules, to provide a top cover 28 which issecured to the base 10 through one or more supports 29, which may becontinuous (such as is illustrated) or discontinuous. The top cover 28and the support(s) 29 may be transparent or opaque, and may be made ofthe same material as the base 10, or different.

The operation of the device depicted by the above three figures lendsitself to a game or amusement device which requires both skill andcoordination, as well as involving an element of chance or randomness.Insertia, momentum, magnetic attraction/repulsion and synchronizationall enter into its operation.

More particularly, with respect to the version depicted in FIGS. 1, 2and 5, one or two players may participate. The control knobs 17 and 18aremanipulated with the fingers, each of the two control magnet modulesbeing capable of spinning in the same or diflerent directions. Theprimary object for a player is to capture the slave magnet, causing itto spin in the desired direction. The opponent attempts to do the same.The slave magnet responds to the relative positions of the controlmagnets in a number of ways: it may spin in the same or oppositedirection; it may change direction; or it may stop. The factors ofinertia and momentum also enter in. The net result is a somewhatunpredictable reaction of the slave magnet to the players efforts givingrise to an appealing game of chance and skill. The winner can beindicated by many devices other than the simple pointer shown in FIG. 1.For instance, a contact switch could be utilized to activate a light, ora mechanical counter could be used.

FIG. 3 shows a variation on the simple scheme set out above. In thisfigure and the next, obvious components already numbered above will notbe renumbered. FIG. 3 depicts an arrangement whereby each control magnetinfluences a spearate slave magnet, the slave magnets preferably beingsituated so that they influence each other. In this variation the samecomponents as have been previously discussed are found. For the sake ofvisual effect, the pointers have been placed in an adjacent/opposingposition. In order, then, to operate so that the slave magnets, andtherefore the control magnets, turn in opposing directions, it isnecessary that one player race from bottom to top, and the otherviceversa, as can be seen from the arrows. If, on the other hand, thetwo pointers are moved to the outside of the belts, the slave magnetsmay be operated in opposite directions in order for the pointers torace" to the top. Other variations will be obvious.

FIG. 4 demonstrates a design whereby each of a pair of control magnetscontrols a separate slave magnet. The players may team on a single slavemagnet, or opposing team members may so play. The discussion of FIG. 3relative to the direction of motion of the pointers is equallyapplicable here.

It is apparent from the above discussions that a series of gears, andoptionally shafts and the like, as well as other means, could be used inconjunction with, or in lieu of, the system of pulleys and belts shown.Other transmission devices will be apparent to the skilled in the art.

It is to be noted that while the drawings illustrate the motion of themagnets and the transmission device being in planes parallel to eachother, it is contemplated that said planes could be perpendicular, or atacute or obtuse angles. Furthermore, the planes of the control and/orslave magnets may overlap as long as the axis of rotation of one isoutside the circumference of the other(s). This is in order to avoidcoaxial arrangements whereby direct magnetic coupling is accomplished,this being deemed to defeat the amusement potential of the invention.

While a single pointer-and-scale method of visually depicting motion isillustrated, it is obvious that many facades could be used. It isgenerally contemplated that the rotary motion of the slave magnet(s) maybe translated into a visually depicted movement in one or more planes.The form of this visualization is a matter of artistic choice, the basicmagnetic scheme considered to be the invention herein remaining thesame.

In lieu of a pulley and belt system, a gear could be installed on aslave magnet, said gear meshing with one or more other gears, the neteffect being utilized to activate one or more indicators. It is thenovel interaction of slave and control magnets, coupled with a method ofconverting the induced rotary motion of the slave magnet to a visualeffect, that is considered the invention herein, rather than theparticular means one chooses for said motion conversion.

1 claim:

1. A magnetic amusement device comprising:

A. One or more rotably mounted control magnets;

B. One or more rotably mounted slave magnets,

being spaced from but under the magnetic influence of their respectivecontrol magnets, said slave magnets rotating in about the samehorizontal plane as their respective control magnets; and

C. Means for translating the rotary motion of said slave magnets into avisual effect comprising:

a. A pulley attached to and rotating with a shaft mounted at rightangles with each slave magnet, said pulley rotating in a planeapproximately parallel with that traversed by said slave magnet;

b. One or more rotably mounted pulleys spaced from said slave magnetpulley;

c. Continuous belts connecting the pulleys of (a) and (b); and

d. One or more indicators attached to one or more of said belts.

1. A magnetic amusement device comprising: A. One or more rotablymounted control magnets; B. One or more rotably mounted slave magnets,being spaced from but under the magnetic influence of their respectivecontrol magnets, said slave magnets rotating in about the samehorizontal plane as their respective control magnets; and C. Means fortranslating the rotary motion of said slave magnets into a visual effectcomprising: a. A pulley attached to and rotating with a shaft mounted atright angles with each slave magnet, said pulley rotating in a planeapproximately parallel with that traversed by said slave magnet; b. Oneor more rotably mounted pulleys spaced from said slave magnet pulley; c.Continuous belts connecting the pulleys of (a) and (b); and d. One ormore indicators attached to one or more of said belts.